68 long years of denial of justice to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims

14 years of CWP 180/204 pending in the Supreme Court of India

Demonstration with Dalit Drums, Folk songs and music was held on 4th December 2018 at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, demanding Scheduled Caste right to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims, organised by Dalit Christian Artists Coordination Committee. Adavu Cultural team from Tamilnadu performed the Dalit Drum ‘Parai’.

“If you don’t listen to our voices at least listen to our Drums” said Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas the Secretary General of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. Many Political and Religious leaders showed their support for the demand of Christian and Muslim communities. Fr. Jervis the Deputy Secretary General said that the Government should protect the Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims, provide them the legal protection and promote their development by extending their due Scheduled Caste rights. Mr. Ali Anwar the former member of the Parliament said “It is a sad situation of the country that the successive Governments do not give the rightful demand of the SC status to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims”. Ms. Annie Raja, General Secretary of National Federation of Indian Women said “Parai the Dalit drum should be the instrument to demand out rights and we will uphold our Dalit drums to demand out rights”. ‘Nine is Mine’ a Child right group’s children also performed their drums.

Demands to the Central Government:

To give directions to furnish the reply of Government on the suits pending in Supreme Court on the issue of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims

To initiate steps to bring a Bill in Parliament to extend Scheduled Caste Rights to Christians and Muslims of Scheduled Caste origin